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Would Mold Develop Over Time?

Jackson Kung'u

Question: I am wondering if you have a foundation problem in a house and water comes in when the snow melts and when it rains would mold develop over time? We were going to move in a house and the landlord says that she removed the mold. It is a damp, old basement and the wood boards are rotting because of either mold or water. She says it only rained in there once but i don’t think so. Would there likely be mold in the walls, underneath the cardboard? When the landlord tells me it has been removed do I believe her or would a mold/air specialist have to come in? There is also insulation exposed. I heard mold can grow there. My mom had a bad reaction from being in the basement. Please give me your advice.

Thanks.

Answer: The conditions you have described would definitely support mold growth. Going by your description of the place, I would suggest you look for another house. Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health problems. People who are sensitive to molds may experience nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation. People with mold allergies may have more severe reactions. Those with weak immune system or with chronic lung illnesses and other respiratory diseases may get serious infections in their lungs when they’re exposed to mold.

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Filed Under: Fungi, MBL Answers Tagged With: coughing, dampness, eye irritation, mold growth, nasal stuffiness, skin irritation, throat irritation, wheezing

Any Test To Determine Long Term Effects of Mold Exposure?

Jackson Kung'u

Question: Hi, my 16 year old son has suffered respiratory problems for years since living in a basement apartment full of black mold. I suspect that his problem is due to mold exposure.

Is there any testing that can be done on people to find out if long term effects have occurred after mold exposure? Please help me find someone, somewhere that either studies or tests for the effects of breathing molds as each time my son gets sick it is worse and I need some help with where to look or who to talk to. Please let me know if there is any testing, reports, groups, etc; out there on mold exposure.

Thank you.

Answer: I am not sure if there is any testing that can be done on people to find out if long term effects have occurred after they are exposed to mold. Some doctors have recommended testing for mold-specific antibodies. However, the presence of antibodies only indicates that one has been exposed to mold at some time. It does not tell you when you were exposed, where the mold exposure took place, or how much of the mold you were exposed to or whether the mold exposure caused long term effects. Also, a positive test for mold-specific antibodies alone is generally insufficient to prove that health effects reported by individuals are caused by mold exposure.

Filed Under: Fungi, MBL Answers Tagged With: antibodies, black mold, mold exposure

Any Input Relative To The Spore Levels Identified?

Jackson Kung'u

Question: My daughter and her room-mate have been housed in a room that has an elevated mold count. The outside mold count on the day of the test was 2,600 spores per cubic meter of air while the count in the dorm in the dorm room was 10,300. The preliminary test identified three different types of mold spores with readings elevated above outdoor readings. These spore types and readings were as follows:

  • Penicillium/Aspergillus:
    • Outdoor count: 907 spores/cubic meter of air
    • Dorm room count: 6,880 spores/cubic meter of air
  • Cladosporium:
    • Outdoor count: 533 spores/cubic meter of air
    • Indoor count: 3,150 spores/cubic meter of air
  • Both girls are experiencing some health issues. My daughter is currently in the hospital with some respiratory issues and an infection of the colon. Can you provide me with any input relative to the spore levels identified? Also, I realize that most problems associated with mold are of the respiratory nature, but I am concerned that the colon infection could also be a result of mold toxins. Is this possible? Any input would be appreciated.

    Answer: Currently there are no acceptable levels of airborne mold spores. However, it’s generally agreed that mold is a health hazard and should not be allowed to grow in occupied indoor environments. The common indoor molds are unlikely to cause infection to health individuals. People with weak immune system (immunocompromised), however, could be infected by opportunistic pathogens such as some species of Aspergillus and Fusarium. As for mycotoxins, it is not known whether the indoor air concentrations of airborne mycotoxins become high enough to cause any significant health effects.

Filed Under: Fungi, Indoor Air Quality, MBL Answers Tagged With: Aspergillus, cladosporium, Fusarium, mycotoxins, penicillium, spores

Am I A Victim Of Dampness, Mould And Bacterial Infection?

Jackson Kung'u

Question: I’ve always been a fit and healthy individual at the age now of 32! Two years ago I moved from a bedsit, into an apartment (ground floor), during my residence here. I discovered horrible black stained walls, and it seems to be multiplying! Ever since I have lived here, I have noticed a change in my appearance. My skin seems to be dry and flakey. My nose seems to be blocked, my throat feels like something is stuck in it, and I seem to be looking paler in the face and find breathing very difficult. Also I am getting pains in my chest (heart area) and in my back!! Now I am concerned about this! Am I a victim of dampness, mould and bacterial infection?

Many thanks!

Answer: My suggestion is that you consult with your doctor regarding your condition. If possible you may also consider moving out of your current apartment. Damp conditions and mould are known to cause various illnesses. For more information read the answer to a similar question: Could Mold Be Making Us Sick?

Filed Under: Bacteria, Fungi, MBL Answers Tagged With: Bacteria, bacterial infection, dampness, infection, mould

Could Mold Be Making Us Sick?

Jackson Kung'u

Question: I have a window that leaks and the hardwood floor under both windows is rotten. The property manager said she can’t fix the leak because “all the windows leak”. My boyfriend and I have been really sick and the doctor can’t explain why. Is there a high chance mold could be growing under the floor, that’s making us sick? And do you know what city service in Vancouver I could contact about this situation?

Answer: If there are leaks it’s very likely that there is mold growing on the water damaged materials. It’s difficult to say whether your sickness is due to mold. However, indoor mold and dampness have been associated with ill health. People who are sensitive to mold may experience symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation. Individuals with a history of mold allergies may have more severe reactions. People with weak immune system may get serious infections in their lungs when they are exposed to molds such as Aspergillus fumigatus. Such people are advised to stay away from areas that are likely to have mold.

I am not sure which city service in Vancouver you could contact about this situation but you may want to try their public health department.

Filed Under: Fungi Tagged With: moisture, mold symptoms

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  • Indoor Air Quality Testing in Toronto, Ontario
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July 2025
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Salmonella food poisoning and symptoms

Salmonella food poisoning has been a growing concern in recent news. It has frequently lead to recalls of beef, salads and organic products and, even peanut butter products. Salmonella food poisoning occurs when one eats raw or undercooked foods such meat, poultry, eggs or egg products. Properly cooked food can get contaminated with Salmonella if […]

Legionella pneumophila – Guidelines for Laboratory Interpretation

Legionella pneumophila is a Gram negative, aerobic bacteria that is characterized as an opportunistic pathogen. It is the cause of Legionnaires’ Disease, a severe form of pneumonia and, it is the cause of Pontiac fever, a non-pneumonic form of L. pneumophila infection. Legionella spp.’s mode of transmission is through aerosols or aspiration of contaminated water. The Public Health […]

The Indoor Mold Is An Early Warning Device

The mold (or mould, in the Queen’s English) has been the victim of a bad press. Mention the word and it conjures up an image of something rotting or in the process of decomposition. And yet, were it not for the mold that inspired the discovery of penicillin millions of lives would have been lost. […]

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